1,2-Hexylene glycol is a chemical relative to the more-known propylene glycol. It's a clear viscous liquid used as a humectant, filler, thickener, and conditioning agent.

What are its risks?

1,2-Hexylene glycol is a penetration enhancer, meaning that it has the ability to cross the skin's barrier and also bring other chemicals in to the body. (Source)

While it's considered to have a low-toxicity (ie it doesn't make you sick or immediately kill you upon ingestion) it is broken down in the body through oxidation, a process that releases free radicals. (Source)

While 1,2-Hexylene glycol isn't acutely toxic, it certainly isn't a beneficial ingredient that would nourish or benefit the body in any way, and only creates free radical damage as its absorbed in the body and broken down.

Article originally appeared on Chemical of the Day (http://chemicaloftheday.squarespace.com/).